Time Travel: Casco Viejo


Time Travel: Casco Viejo

(1 vote)

Written by Matt Landau

Friday, February 03 2006

I try stress in my blogs that Panama City is a schizophrenic city and for me, this enchanting schizophrenia is what makes it such an interesting place to live. After all, where else in the world can a $1 cab ride transport you from a 600 ft. high rise to a 300 year old city in less than five minutes?

What used to be the epicenter of Panamanian life is now one of it's most unique and fascinating treasures. At first sight, I couldn't help but think I was in New Orleans. The elderly cobblestone streets, the familiar French-Spanish architecture, the techno-colored pastels, and the intricate balconies—all this place needed some booze, some beads, and a handful of half-clothed college kids and we were in business.

We walked past the national theater, several other historical landmarks, and through a labyrinth of picturesque side streets. The walk could have been in a commercial—literally in fact—there was a crew filming a TV commercial and we could have been in background of the shot.

We ate dinner at this restaurant called Ego—a chic little place with oversized paintings, geometric-shaped chairs, and creative lighting. The adjacent outdoor plaza was totally Euro. A perfect little square surrounded by beautiful buildings, a light breeze coming off the water, and friends gathered to snack and gossip the night away. This place was awesome.

The district is slowly going through a renovation and with old historic buildings for sale at absurdly reasonable prices, its no wonder. Standing here in this square, I felt like I had done some sort of time travel—transporting to some place far away from Panama City. It's this unconventional split-personality of Panama that fascinates me the most. After my corny revelatory moment, it was time to get a ride home.

Trying to get a cab in Casco Viejo can be tricky so we put our trust in two seemingly experienced cab-getters. After both of them aborted their missions, the police station seemed to be the best place to call and wait for a ride. Whoever tells you that Panamanian police are unfriendly is seriously mistaken...in Casco Viejo at least. This one cop chatted us up for nearly 30 minutes then decided to give us a ride home himself, in his squad car. Before we got out, he requested that I put him in this blog, so...Fidel...there you go.

Email me about CHEAP historic Real Estate in Casco Viejo!

Or get back to more Panama Reports